Charles Bronson says parole hearing is 'like being on the Apprentice' trends now

Charles Bronson says parole hearing is 'like being on the Apprentice' trends now
Charles Bronson says parole hearing is 'like being on the Apprentice' trends now

Charles Bronson says parole hearing is 'like being on the Apprentice' trends now

Charles Bronson today compared his parole hearing to 'being on The Apprentice' as the panel heard he would need help if he is ever released from jail because he has never used a cash machine. 

The notorious inmate, 70, was jailed for seven years in 1974 after being convicted of armed robbery and was given a life sentence for kidnapping prison teacher Phil Danielson in 1999.

The second day of Bronson's parole review heard one of the UK's longest serving prisoners 'feels like the whole system is about humiliating and degrading him'. 

Three parole judges – who have not been publicly named – are considering his case at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, while members of the Press and public watch the proceedings on a live stream from the Royal Courts of Justice in central London.

Bronson likened his experience in front of the Parole Board to being on The Apprentice with Lord Sugar and, inviting the panel to view his art, said each work is a 'piece of me'.

Charles Bronson (seen on Monday) is the second prisoner in UK legal history to have his parole hearing held in public after the rules changed last year

Charles Bronson (seen on Monday) is the second prisoner in UK legal history to have his parole hearing held in public after the rules changed last year

The notorious prisoner, 70, was jailed for seven years in 1974 after being convicted of armed robbery and was given a life sentence for kidnapping teacher Phil Danielson in 1999

The notorious prisoner, 70, was jailed for seven years in 1974 after being convicted of armed robbery and was given a life sentence for kidnapping teacher Phil Danielson in 1999

An independent psychologist employed by Bronson's legal team told the hearing today: 'He feels like the whole system is about humiliating and degrading him.'

Wearing a black T-shirt with white writing on it, and his trademark dark, round glasses, Bronson – who the review was told has hearing difficulties – could be seen rocking his chair backwards and forwards as the psychologist gave evidence.

She said the 70-year-old has mild symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, partly due to some 'brutal and unacceptable treatment' while in the prison system.

Long criminal history of 'Britain's most violent prisoner'  

1974: Bronson's first conviction aged 22. He was jailed for seven years for robbery, aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm.

He was convicted for numerous assaults behind bars in 1975, 1978 and 1985, leading to his sentence being extended. 

1987: He was released from prison at the age of 34.

1988: After 69 days he was back in prison, sentenced for seven years for robbery at a jewellers' shop.

1992: He was released but weeks later was jailed for eight years for intent to rob. 

He has been behind bars since then for violent offences committed while in custody.

1994: He was given seven years for false imprisonment and blackmail, then in 1997 he took a deputy prison governor, staff and three inmates hostage for which he received five years.

1999: He took an art teacher hostage for three days and was given a life sentence with a minimum term of three years which expired in 2003.

2014: He was further sentenced to three years for assaulting a prison governor.

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Bronson – whose real name is Michael Peterson – has previously been diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder, is 'naturally somewhat suspicious of other people's motives' and holds 'anti-authoritarian views', the psychologist added.

Once dubbed one of Britain's most violent offenders, Bronson has spent most of the past 48 years behind bars – apart from two brief periods of freedom during which he reoffended – for a string of thefts, firearms and violent offences, including 11 hostage-takings in nine different sieges. Victims included governors, doctors, staff and, on one occasion, his own solicitor.

He was handed a discretionary life sentence with a minimum term of four years in 2000 for taking a prison teacher at HMP Hull hostage for 44 hours. Since then, the Parole Board has repeatedly refused to direct his release.

The review heard that Bronson has a 'romanticised' view of violent incidents in the past, after he told parole judges how he loved a 'rumble' and enjoyed mass brawls in jail but insisted he has since found

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